Officer assaulted, 2 arrested in city fracas

NORTHAMPTON — Two people were arrested outside of Hinge, a bar at 43 Main St., early Saturday morning, including a Hadley man who allegedly assaulted a police officer.

Ishmael Salaam, 25, of 34 Greenleaves Dr., Apt. 11, Hadley, was arrested at 1:49 a.m. on charges of assault and battery on a police officer, possession of a class B drug (Molly or MDMA), and disorderly conduct, subsequent offense.

Police Detective Corey Robinson said an officer witnessed two women fighting in front of Hinge and when he approached, one of them started to leave with Salaam. When he asked the woman for identification, she gave it to him but then slapped it out of his hand and started to run away, Robinson said. The officer tried to grab her but Salaam physically prevented him. Salaam and the officer then allegedly scuffled and ended up on the ground, where the officer punched Salaam in the face multiple times while Salaam remained on top of him, pinning his shoulders down.

Another officer arrived and used pepper spray to subdue Salaam. They allegedly found the drug Molly on him during the subsequent search.

Robinson said that during the course of both altercations, Hinge staff never tried to intervene and did not call 911. A large crowd gathered to watch the fights, too, he said, and police told them to leave.

Gabriel Lebron, 23, of 143 Deerfield Drive, Florence, was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct after repeatedly refusing to leave the area, shouting at police, and getting into verbal fights with two women, Robinson said.